Hometeam Division 1 football: Colonials rely on Coggeshall

When Shrewsbury coach Terry Walles was asked how Mike Coggeshall had improved over his time as the Colonials’ starting quarterback, he did not hesitate.

“Mike has become a great leader and has developed the confidence you need to be a good quarterback,” Walles said. “With that has come the maturity that allows him to make excellent reads on each and every play.”

Walles pointed to a specific play in Friday’s win over Marlboro to prove his point. During Shrewsbury’s game-changing drive at the end of the first half, Coggeshall went through a series of progressions and checked off his primary receivers before finding Garrett Pacy for a big gain and a key first down with less than 30 seconds on the clock.

Three plays later, the Colonials scored and took the lead for good.

“That’s the type of play he didn’t make as a sophomore and probably not last year either,” Walles said. “That’s a play only an experienced quarterback can make. Mike has that experience now, and we expect to see him to continue to make more strides forward as the season goes on.”

It has not always been that way. Coggeshall had exactly one year’s experience playing football when he took over the starting job as a sophomore. His strong play and ability to handle pressure situations quickly won over the seniors, who supported their young QB and followed his lead.

Though the Colonials finished just 4-7 that season, Coggeshall earned the respect of his teammates and coaches. He made great strides throughout the season and looked forward to more success as a junior.

“That season was a key for me because those seniors really took me under their wing and helped me,” Coggeshall said. “Looking back now, I see how weird that must have been for them to have a sophomore quarterback. They were great though. They really helped me develop as a quarterback and a leader.”

As a junior, Coggeshall took even bigger strides. He threw for 1,173 yards and 12 touchdowns and completed 57 percent of his passes. He led Shrewsbury to a 5-6 record and a postseason berth in a very competitive Division 1. The Colonials lost to crosstown rival St. John’s, 55-30, in that playoff game.

This season has started even better. The senior completed 8 of 10 passes for 86 yards in last week’s win over Marlboro, a week after completing 8 of 15 for 107 yards and a touchdown in a tough loss to perennial powerhouse Auburn.

He really showed his poise and leadership in the win over the Panthers. After the Colonials opened up a quick 12-0 lead, Marlboro scored two quick TDs late in the half to take a 14-12 lead. A week after falling apart in the second half against Auburn, the Colonials easily could have done the same. Instead, Coggeshall engineered a 69-yard drive in just over a minute to give Shrewsbury the lead and momentum.

“Losing to Auburn was tough, but I think we learned a lot in that game,” Coggeshall said. “I think it helped us believe a little bit in ourselves, and we were able to use that confidence in that last drive and the second half against Marlboro.”

Coggeshall is still undecided about his plans for next year. A three-sport athlete (and a football and basketball captain), Coggeshall is weighing his options and focusing on football.

“We expect to have a great season,” he said. “It won’t be easy because Division 1 is filled with great teams, but we are going to continue to work hard each and every week. If we do that, good things will happen.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.